Two years ago, a pioneering citizen science project called PAIR (PArkinson Intergenerational caRe), which was coordinated by the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), was initiated. The second edition of this initiative, which seeks to raise awareness of Parkinson's disease and promote the well-being of people affected by it while fostering empathy and knowledge of neurodegenerative diseases and science among young people, has now come to an end. PAIR came into being as part of the 'Caixa d'Eines' (Tool Box) programme of the Barcelona City Council's 'Pla de Barris' (Neighbourhood Plan) and the Barcelona Education Consortium network, in collaboration with the scientific communication agency Eduscopi.

In an event held in the Conference Room of the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute's Central Building, this second edition concluded with the presentation of first-person testimonies from participants in the programme, including people with Parkinson's disease and students and teachers from the Coves d'en Cimany School. The event also included a discussion of the results and reflections by representatives of the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, the Barcelona City Council's Neighbourhood Plan, the Barcelona Education Consortium and the Catalan Parkinson's Association (ACAP).

“It has been an enriching initiative that has promoted the exchange of knowledge and skills, and one in which the students have shown great empathy. It has been a source of motivation that has improved our quality of life,” said Josep Plancheria, a participant in the programme.

Aya Djelaab and Darek Pachon, students at the Coves d'en Cimany School, shared their experience: “We have learned what Parkinson's disease is. It has been a very dynamic and enjoyable project that has allowed us to form close bonds with the patients.”

Collaborative activities to foster intergenerational connections

Seven people with Parkinson's disease aged between 50 and 80 participated in this second edition, together with 25 students in the final year of Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO) at the Coves d'en Cimany School in Barcelona. During eight sessions held at the Carmel-Juan Marsé Library, different collaborative activities were carried out to help foster interaction, mutual knowledge and the sharing of experiences.

The eight weekly two-hour sessions were divided into two distinct parts. Different activities were carried out during the first hour, such as board games, chair yoga, mime activities and table tennis. The second hour was devoted to a project in which small working groups created their own board game on the subject of Parkinson's disease. This strengthened the links between the working groups and allowed the students to gain a deeper understanding of the disease.

The activities were accompanied by surveys designed to evaluate the impact of the project. Once the eight sessions were over, the research team worked with the students to analyse the data. This process helped the students gain a better understanding of the scientific method.

“In both editions, we found that the people affected by Parkinson's disease felt better understood, in a better mood and also expressed an improvement in their general well-being,” said Dr Ariadna Laguna, principal investigator of the Neurodegenerative Diseases Group at VHIR. “Moreover, the teenagers learned what Parkinson's disease is and are now more empathetic [to those who suffer from it]. We created a space of trust in which people felt comfortable to share their experiences,” she added.

The participants have been highly satisfied with the two editions carried out to date, which confirms the research team's belief that this type of initiative to promote learning and the well-being of all participants is effective. Work is currently underway to refine the impact indicators and obtain long-term measurements to confirm the validity of this type of intervention.

An innovative project to bring science closer to teenagers

The PAIR project (PArkinson Intergenerational caRe) forms part of the 'Caixa d'Eines' (Tool Box) programme, promoted by the Barcelona Neighbourhood Plan, the Institute of Culture and the Barcelona Education Consortium. This programme aims to introduce artistic and scientific practices into the school curriculum, with the aim of reducing inequalities by linking formal, non-formal and community education. In the case of the schools in the Carmel neighbourhood, the programme seeks to make STEAM education an experiential, hands-on and accessible tool for the students, broadening their horizons and offering new ways of learning and interacting with their surroundings.

PAIR has received funding from the European IMPETUS programme to support citizen science, and has recently been nominated for the Farmaindustria 'Somos Pacientes' (We are Patients) award.